WHITMAN – Michael Hayes is an engineer by trade. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wentworth University and with his wife Michele, an assistant town collector in Whitman, raised two kids.

They now have seven grandchildren, and after nearly 30 years serving as Whitman’s elected town moderator, Hayes is stepping down after this spring’s town meeting.

The Enterprise recently spoke with Hayes about Whitman, his role as moderator and civic engagement.

Question: What are the major duties of a town moderator?

Answer: For preparation – keep a pulse on what’s going on. Read the papers, talk to the people, talk to the chair of the finance committee [appointed by the moderator]. But until the selectmen prepare and enclose the warrant and send it out to me, I don’t really have a formal role.

I have complete control at the meeting. Anything that goes on at that meeting is under my control. What type of information can be put out. Who can come into the meeting. If there’s a non-voter coming in they need my permission before coming in. Other than that, the meeting’s prepared, and I have an agenda prepared. It’s pretty smooth and pretty fluid.

As soon as everybody checks in, bam we start. Nobody likes to sit around and spend a whole lot of time at town meeting, particularly if you’ve got a Red Sox or Bruins game.

Question: Why are communities having such a tough time reaching town meeting quorums?

Answer: If you’re lucky, you get 200 or 250 people out to conduct the business that’s going to affect the whole community. But that’s the nature of our society. It’s not a Whitman problem; it’s a society problem.

People are busy. Society is different. There are working parents, plus it’s easy to make excuses why you don’t come and participate once or twice a year. It’s frustrating, but it’s the nature of our society. Our society has changed from 50 years ago and it will change 50 years from now.

Question: What will help fix the problem?

Answer: There’s no one answer. Obviously you’ve got to start with the schools and educate students on how our government is supposed to run.

The message that (President) Kennedy gave back many, many years ago: ‘What can you do for your country?’ Our society today is a “me” society. What I want. It’s not important what you can do for your country. It really should be. That’s why I served for as many years as I did. I believe in service. I served my country. I served my town. Everybody should do that.

Page 2 of 2 - Question: Do you see uncontested local elections as having the same root societal cause?

Answer: Look at what’s taking place. The electorate, the way they are, they make it so that people don’t want to run for office.

Look what happened in Hanson, that recall petition (against two selectmen who support a school project). Personally, I think it’s outrageous. For somebody trying to recall somebody in that job, in an unpaid position. They are going to recall them for making a tough decision, a tough vote?

Question: What packs a town meeting?

Answer: What bring people out are the key warrant articles. Big school issues, controversial issues. When we built the high school. When we had the DPW (building project). When people have strong opinions, that’s when they’ll come down.

I tell people, ‘Please stay. Don’t walk out after one vote, one item that may matter to you. We’re in here as a town, as a community, let’s get to all the business.’ I am a little more forceful now and it seems to be a little more effective, where people are almost embarrassed to walk out. I’ll make it difficult.

Question: How has Whitman fared with property tax overrides?

Answer: We haven’t had a lot. The way the town has been managed by a lot of dedicated people – Whitman is in a lot better shape than a lot of communities.

We’ve got a state-of-the-art high school. A middle school that’s going to be paid off. We’ve managed our finances extremely well. When we need a big project, we get it done.

Question: Have you seen any strange floor amendments over the years?

Answer: No – because if it’s not germane to the warrant article I won’t allow it. But if the motion’s in order, I have to let it go to the floor. I try not to sway people’s votes.

I’m not a parliamentarian; I’m not a lawyer. I’m an engineer by trade. But, after all these years, I have a good idea of what’s allowed or not. If I’m not sure I’ll call town counsel. But I try not to. I have enough experience that I know what should be or should not be passed to the floor.